Lucciola is an 18-seat fine dining restaurant on the Upper West Side dedicated to ingredient-driven Italian cooking and the minimalist philosophy of its chef, Michele Casadei Massari. Opened in 2017, the restaurant has become known for its intimate scale, thoughtful hospitality, and tasting menus that highlight seasonality and clarity of flavor.
Lucciola’s dining experience is rooted in what Massari calls Hi-Fi Cooking, a concept inspired by the precision and emotional resonance of high-fidelity sound. Each dish is composed with depth and balance, emphasizing purity of ingredients, seasonality, and a restrained approach to technique. The restaurant also offers a “no menu” format, in which the kitchen crafts a sequence of dishes based solely on the finest ingredients available that day.
The wine program, overseen with the same attention to detail, features more than 1,000 Italian and international selections chosen to complement the kitchen’s ingredient-focused style. The list has earned Two Glasses from Wine Spectator in both 2023 and 2024, and Lucciola was named Best Restaurant in New York by the New York State Restaurant Association. Guest reviews and industry accolades consistently highlight the restaurant’s authenticity, precision, and distinctive approach to modern Italian cooking.
The dining room draws inspiration from Italian cinema, particularly the work of filmmaker Pupi Avati, creating a warm, cinematic atmosphere that complements the culinary narrative. Thoughtful lighting, intimate acoustics, and a minimalist design contribute to the restaurant’s immersive feel, while private dining options offer a tailored version of the experience for small groups.
Lucciola’s identity reflects Massari’s broader philosophy that cuisine should communicate values rather than ego. Guided by simplicity, generosity, and respect for ingredients, the restaurant presents a contemporary Italian experience that is both refined and deeply personal. Whether through its tasting menus, its extensive wine cellar, or its understated hospitality, Lucciola has become one of New York’s most distinctive small dining rooms—a place where Italian tradition, cultural storytelling, and modern precision meet.
